SEARCY - Harding University extended its winning streak to 11 matches while remaining undefeated in Gulf South Conference play with a 3-0 sweep past Arkansas Tech Tuesday night before a crowd of 445 at Rhodes Fieldhouse.

Harding (27-6, 11-0) took advantage of some rather chilly hitting efforts by Tech (13-15, 5-6) in winning 30-24, 30-25, 30-20 to complete a two-match sweep over the Golden Suns this fall. The Lady Bisons had won a 3-0 decision over Tech back on Oct. 2 at Tucker Coliseum.

The Suns hit only .060 in this latest effort after being guilty of some 29 attack errors. Harding countered with a .200 percentage mark.

Kelly Allums turned in a double-double for the Suns with 13 kills and 11 digs. Erin Essink chipped in with another 12 kills and Andrea Bailey was credited with 27 assists.

Synda Veitenheimer recorded Harding's only double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs. Leanne Lackey and Katelin Parks each had a dozen kills, Amie Morrison had 19 digs and Chelsea Ginn finished with 40 assists.

The loss dropped Tech into a tie with Christian Brothers for third place in the West Division, both teams now holding identical 5-6 records. The Lady Bucs will be in Conway tonight to take on Central Arkansas.

The top four teams in the division will advance into the post-season conference tournament next week.

Tech will close out its regular season at home Thursday by hosting Henderson State. Match time at Tucker Coliseum has been set for 7 p.m.

GSC honors Essink

Tech's Erin Essink has been selected as the Gulf South Conference defensive volleyball player of the week for the third time this season.

Essink, a 6-foot senior middle hitter from Lincoln, Neb., had 18 digs and 11 blocks in matches against Southern Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist last week. She also had 24 kills, 11 blocks and a .315 hitting percentage.

Heading into the final week of regular season play, Essink is the Golden Suns' leading hitter with a .241 percentage, leads in total blocks with 120, is second on kills with 346 and serve aces with 35 and second in digs with 314.

In 27 matches, Essink has recorded double-double performances 15 times.